New York Jets' general manager Joe Douglas will be down a key consigliere as draft season heats up.
The Jets and assistant general manager Rex Hogan have mutually agreed to part ways according to a report by SNY's Connor Hughes. The news surfaced on the same day that The Athletic released a scathing report on the operations at 1 Jets Drive in Florham Park.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, however, the breakup between the Jets and Hogan "didn't happen today" and " occurred a few weeks ago."
The timing of the decision leaves the organization in an unusual spot with the NFL Draft and countless prospect evaluations on the horizon. Hogan was an overseer of New York's scouting department for both the pro and college levels. Having joined the Jets for a second time in 2019, Hogan was reportedly a proponent of making quarterback Zach Wilson the No. 2 overall selection at the 2021 NFL Draft. Wilson has failed to seize the Jets' starting job and is rumored to have taken his last snap in Green & White.
Current Jets' starting cornerback D.J. Reed also weighed in on the report.
"My dawg, I love Rex," said Reed in an X post.
Reed joined the Jets as a free agent prior to the 2022 season and has been a nice fit on defense opposite cornerback Sauce Gardner. He has made 32 starts with Gang Green, accounting for 21 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Hogan likely deserves some credit for building New York's vaunted defense. The Jets have finished as a Top 4 unit each of the past two seasons.
Following the 2023 season finale, head coach Robert Saleh said he did not foresee any major offseason staff changes. Although the top of the coaching flow chart remains intact, New York has reportedly replaced two position coaches on offense. Tony Dews is set to be the team's running backs coach in 2024 while Shawn Jefferson has been tabbed to coach the receivers.
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